After Rajon Rondo’s homophobic tirade prompted longtime NBA referee Bill Kennedy to come out as gay, some (most notably Haralabos Voulgaris) were quick to connect the dots to the long-standing rumor that Kennedy and Rondo’s former coach Doc Rivers had beef originating from Rivers using the same slur.
But Rivers has publicly denied this story, and now, according to the solid Howard Beck, he’s got some valid backup for his claim.
Re Doc/Bill Kennedy: Contrary to story that’s circulated, Kennedy has told confidantes that Doc never used a gay slur during confrontation
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 15, 2015
Also, sources say NBA investigated Doc/Kennedy incident at the time. Doc was fined $25k. Would have been much stiffer penalty for gay slur.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 15, 2015
That has to make a lot of people around the NBA breathe a sigh of relief. The NBA is a much nicer place without the notion that Rivers is a bigot, and hopefully that notion can be put to rest. That said, Beck is charitable in his assumption that the NBA would have been much harsher if Rivers had used a gay slur. It may not seem like it, but public perception of homosexuality has changed dramatically since 2009, when the alleged interaction between Rivers and Kennedy occurred. If Beck did hear from Kennedy through those close to him, we’re much more inclined to believe in Rivers using that evidence.
The focus once again shifts back to Rondo, whose statement in the wake of his suspension (to be served Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets) was half-hearted at best and didn’t include any reference to being sorry or apologetic.
With Rivers’ denial, Rondo’s gained a sliver more of the benefit of the doubt regarding his precise usage of a gay slur toward Kennedy, but threw it right back in the trash when he didn’t take the opportunity to be contrite. His actions during the game and in its aftermath have made that rumored max contract all but impossible.
(Via ProBasketballTalk)
